How to Go
What: “Quid Pro Quo”
Where: Black Box Theatre, Building 2, Fourth Floor, Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St., Dayton
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8; 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14
Cost: $15; All tickets are $10 for “Throwback Thursday” performance
Tickets/more info: Call (937) 512-2808 or visit www.sinclair.edu/tickets
Sinclair Community College brings deaf culture to the forefront with its regional premiere of Garrett Zuercher’s award-winning drama “Quid Pro Quo” continuing through Saturday, Nov. 14 in its intimate Black Box Theatre.
Latin meaning something for something or equal exchange, “Quid Pro Quo” focuses on the relationship between college students Lucas and Lindsay who meet at a party and reunite five weeks later to face an unexpected pregnancy. Lucas is deaf and fears the child will be deaf. Lindsay, who is hearing, is no stranger to misconceptions about the deaf having grown up interpreting for her grandfather who had never received proper American Sign Language training. As viewpoints are debated, they ultimately find common ground while discussing their options leading to a better understanding of hearing and deaf cultures. Seeing how perceptions change when an exchange is made is a key component of the action.
“This story is such a beautiful, sweet, contemporary fable,” said director Kimberly Borst, who staged “Pride and Prejudice” and “Songs for a New World” for Sinclair last season. “I love that the characters, so connected and hungry for each other, are forced to deal with realities they both thought they wanted. The play addresses how they are affected. What would happen if we got what we really wanted?”
The play, which impressed Sinclair organizers at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival nearly 10 years ago, is performed in American Sign Language with voice interpretation. Guest artist TJ Fortson, a professional deaf actor from Texas, portrays Lucas. Katelyn Gross, a Sinclair Interpreter Training Program student, portrays Lindsay. Theatre majors Ashlee Ferrell and Max Santucci took ASL classes over the summer and serve as voice interpreters. Gwendolyn McNeal particularly assists Borst by providing ASL coordination.
“Few people have a true understanding of deaf culture,” said Santucci, who has appeared in productions with Dayton Playhouse, Dayton Theatre Guild and Undercroft Players. “Few have any idea of how rich and interesting of a culture it really is. ‘Quid Pro Quo’ is a chance for hearing audiences to actually see ASL in fast-paced, realistic conversation. It is a common and tragic mistake for the hearing to only think of what the deaf cannot do. Watching a production that focuses on a normal, fairly average couple in an extraordinary scenario is an excellent chance for the hearing community to see what the deaf community can do.”
Grateful for McNeal’s input and guidance from the outset, Borst admits “Quid Pro Quo” has been among her most eye-opening directorial experiences. In addition to making sure the action is always in full view of the audience and the actors are always facing each other and can see each other’s hands, she says she came to a greater understanding of ASL which has its own distinct textures.
“ASL is not just done with the hands but the face,” Borst explained. “All the punctuation is in the face. The tone of words is in the facial features as well. The deaf culture has its own social communication. I really want audiences to come and experience the artistry that is the deaf culture and the deaf way of communicating. I also hope audiences understand the deaf community is living right beside us but is rarely acknowledged. It is a community that doesn’t get a lot of attention drawn to their struggles, issues or challenges. They are graceful, dignified and wonderful people. Sinclair is excited to reach out to the ASL audience, the deaf culture audience, as never before.”
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